All five of the representatives who voted against the measure represent counties or cities that currently participate in the state hotel-motel tax incentive program, according to the University of Tennessee’s Municipal Technical Advisory Service.

Sevierville currently has a 2 percent hotel-motel tax along with Sevier County’s 3 percent tax. Murfreesboro has a 2.5 percent tax with a 3 percent tax approved for Rutherford County. Chattanooga and Hamilton County both have a 4 percent hotel-motel tax rate. Knoxville has a 3 percent tax rate while Knox County has a 5 percent tax rate.

Maury County currently has a 5 percent tax rate. Columbia would have been the first municipality in Maury County to implement a hotel-motel tax.

Maury County Sheriff’s Deputy wins state award

Sergeant Mike Barnes was presented with the Enrique Camarena Award for “going above and beyond” his normal duties.

The award, which is given in honor of Enrique Camarena, a DEA agent who was killed in the line of duty in 1985, given as the result of a national contest where law enforcement agencies nominate top agents making a difference in drug enforcement and education. The Elks Club hosts the contest.

Barnes did not win the national prize, but won top honors as the Camarena winner for Tennessee.

He was presented with a plaque by Jack Allen, the state drug awareness chair for The Elks of Tennessee.

Vigil set for cold case victim

A candlelight vigil for missing Columbia resident Amber Cates is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 12 at the White Oak Shelter in Maury County Park.

Cates has been missing for the last 10 years. She was last seen leaving her mother’s home in Culleoka on April 11, 2004.

The vigil is hosted by Cates’ sister, Brenda James, who, according to reports, had just been granted custody of the then 16-year-old.

A cash award is still being offered to anyone with information that leads to the discovery of Cates. Those interested should call Detective Jerry Williams of the Columbia Police Department at 375-8693, or email jwilliams@maurycounty-tn.gov.

CPD seeks tips on electronics theft

Columbia police are searching for two African American males wanted in connection with the theft of more than $8,000 worth of Nintendo gaming systems last Friday from WalMart.

Security footage shows the two men entering the store at 2200 Brookmeade Drive empty-handed. Police say they then grabbed a shopping cart, placed a plastic tote box in it and walked over to the electronics section where they pried open a cabinet. Security video shows them loading the box with the gaming systems, placing the lid on the container and walking out of the store.

Anyone with information is urged to call the S.A.F.E. Tip Line at 380-2930, or the Crime Stoppers line at 381-4900.

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